Four 'river lodges' on the Parnham Estate in Beaminster have been signed off for construction after more than two years.

The development is part of an ongoing process to improve the commercial opportunities of the estate, to help pay for the restoration of the historic Parnham House and stables which were destroyed by a fire in April 2017.

Dorset Council has now approved the final details of the holiday lodges and a legal agreement, which will allow the construction to start.

The process has seen a number of amendments to the original plans submitted.

The application for architecturally-striking two-storey lodges, including two two-beds and two three-beds, was first submitted in December 2021 by the Perkins family, who own the estate but they were only approved this week.

The lodges will include 'green' roofs and high levels of glazing, with each holiday home having a hot tub to the rear.

Negotiations between council officers and the Parnham team has led to a redesign of the proposal, with smaller versions of the lodges accepted.

One type of lodge will be reduced from almost 64 square metres for the ground floor to 49.5 square metres, and the larger lodges shrinking from 92.5square metres at ground floor level to 76.6 square metres. Both designs also see a corresponding reduction in height.

The estate of about 130 acres has the River Brit running through it, with the proposed lodges to be sited about 60 metres from the main house, to the west of the walled garden, directly east of the River Brit and in an area which has been previously used for 'back of house' car parking.

Other applications in the restoration of the estate have included six other holiday units, known as Orchard Rooms, and a new bridge; a marquee and service area for catering; a 49-space car park and a series of structural reconstructions and replacements as part of the restoration of the main house and stables.

Beaminster Town Council had recommended approval of the River Lodges scheme, although expressed concerns about road access at Southgate onto the A3066.

Some neighbours had also objected fearing a more intense use of the site.